Azilda postal workers claim $9M lottery winnings

Eleven Canada Post workers in Azilda are wearing $9-million smiles this morning.

The group won the lottery on Aug. 22 this year, but two of the group's members are related to OLG employees, so the claim had to go through an insider process, said OLG. It's a secondary investigation to ensure the money is going to the right people. Everything is now cleared, and the ladies travelled to Toronto via limousine bus to claim their prize.

“It's unreal and amazing,” said Nathalie Boucher, a 17-year employee of Canada Post who has been working in Azilda for the last four years.

The ticket was purchased at Notre Dame Kwik Way on Notre Dame Street in Azilda.

The other ladies in the group are Brenda Sandstrom, Carol Leduc, Colleen Leduc, Diane Brabant, Diane Hnatiuk, Kim Mackenzie, Lisa MacNeil, Lorraine Martel, Melanie Methé and Susan D'Entremont.

Sandstrom's daughter is an employee at an OLG Slots and Casino location, while Mackenzie's son is an employee at an OLG retail location.

Boucher said when the group won, they were all on a high, but due to the insider process, the excitement sort of died down.

“Now that the day is officially here, it's back up, and we're very happy,” said Boucher. "We've been playing together for six months, and the biggest prize we've won before this was $100.”

Plans for the money include buying new homes, vehicles, paying off mortgages and investing for the future, but for now, there are no plans for anyone to retire, said Boucher.

This story will be updated.